University of Richmond grad awarded Fulbright grant to conduct music education research in Slovenia

July 6, 2015

Dane Michael Harrison, a December 2014 graduate of University of Richmond, has received a Fulbright research grant for a journalism project focusing on music education in Slovenia.

Harrison grew up in San Fernando Valley, Calif., and now lives in West Point, Va. A pianist, he majored in music with an emphasis in performance at Richmond and also took a number of journalism classes. Upon completion of his research through this Fulbright grant, Harrison intends to seek employment as a writer and copy editor specializing in arts-related content, particularly classical music.

In Slovenia Harrison will be hosted by journalism faculty at the University of Ljubljana from October 2015 through June 2016. He plans to study the childhood musical education of a dozen Slovene choral singers, specifically investigating methods by which music educators in that country foster music literacy through sight singing. Sight singing refers to the ability to read and sing music at first sight, without dependence on an accompanying instrument. 

“I will focus on the implementation of Slovenian laws governing music schools,” said Harrison. “The project will culminate in a long form journalistic essay that considers Slovene educational models as an argument for stronger music literacy initiatives in theU.S.”

“Identifying inroads to a career as a professional writer can be daunting, since the writer's field is so diffuse. I'm exceedingly blessed to have been given such an auspicious start, by an organization as august as Fulbright,” Harrison added.

The university’s Office of International Education, which coordinates applications for Fulbright programs for students, has relationships with nearly 80 institutions outside the U.S., enabling Richmond students to study abroad for the same cost as attending the university. Richmond’s international education program sends more than 60 percent of undergraduates to study abroad with university support, while bringing international students from more than 75 countries to study on campus.

“Dane, who transferred to UR, is a great example of someone who has taken full advantage of all that is offered at the University of Richmond,” said Joe Hoff, interim dean of international education. “The research he will conduct abroad on the Fulbright program presents a great opportunity for him to advance his future career in journalism.”

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government, designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries. Fulbright grant recipients are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. The program operates in more than 155 countries worldwide.

Harrison is the third Richmond student to receive a Fulbright award for 2015-16. Gwen Setterberg and Kimberlee Laney were awarded Fulbright English Teaching Assistant grants.

# # #